Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 52, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 52, was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the ''

Luftstreitkräfte The ''Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte'' (, German Air Force)—known before October 1916 as (Flyer Troops)—was the air arm of the Imperial German Army. In English-language sources it is usually referred to as the Imperial German Air Service, alt ...

'', the air arm of the

Imperial German Army The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially referred to as the German Army (german: Deutsches Heer), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the l ...

during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. The squadron would score over 42 aerial victories during the war. The unit's victories came at the expense of eight killed in action, one injured in a flying accident, one wounded in action, and one taken prisoner of war.

History

Jasta 52 was founded at ''Flieger-Abteilung'' (Flier Detachment) 7, at

Braunschweig Braunschweig () or Brunswick ( , from Low German ''Brunswiek'' , Braunschweig dialect: ''Bronswiek'') is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, north of the Harz Mountains at the farthest navigable point of the river Oker, which connects it to the Nor ...

, Germany on 27 December 1917. It became operational on 9 January 1918. On 14 January, it was moved to support '' 6 Armee''. The new squadron flew its first combat missions 30 January.

Paul Billik Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity * Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

would score the unit's first aerial victories on 9 March 1918, and would go on to score about half his squadron's total. Jasta 52 would support ''6 Armee'' for the remainder of the war.

Commanding officers (''
Staffelführer ''Staffelführer'' was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) in the early years of that group's existence. The later SS rank of ''Staffelführer'' traces its origins to the First World War, where the tit ...
'')

Leutnant () is the lowest Junior officer rank in the armed forces the German (language), German-speaking of Germany (Bundeswehr), Austrian Armed Forces, and military of Switzerland. History The German noun (with the meaning "" (in English "deputy") fro ...

: 27 December 1917 - 10 August 1918 *

Oberleutnant () is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. Austria Germany In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Trans ...

Berendonck: 10 August 1918 - November 1918

Duty stations

Pecq Pecq (; pcd, Pècq; wa, Pêk) is a municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country ...

, Belgium: 14 January 1918 *

Bersée Bersée () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Population Heraldry See also *Communes of the Nord department The following is a list of the 648 communes of the Nord department of the French Republic. The communes ...

, France *

Provin Provin () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Heraldry See also *Communes of the Nord department The following is a list of the 648 communes of the Nord department of the French Republic. The communes cooperate in the f ...

, France *

Gondecourt Gondecourt () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Heraldry See also *Communes of the Nord department The following is a list of the 648 communes of the Nord department of the French Republic. The communes cooperate in ...

, France * Auchy, France * Tourpes, Belgium *

Hove, Belgium Hove () is a municipality (''gemeente'') located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Hove proper. In 2021, Hove had a total population of 8,287. The total area is 5.99 km2. The municipality lies ap ...

Notable personnel

* Paul Billik *

Hermann Juhnke ''Vizefeldwebel'' Hermann Juhnke (born 7 April 1893) was a German World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

References

;Bibliography * Jastas of the Imperial German Army Air Service, 52 Military units and formations established in 1917 1917 establishments in Germany Military units and formations disestablished in 1918 {{wwi-air

History

Commanding officers (''Staffelführer ''Staffelführer'' was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) in the early years of that group's existence. The later SS rank of ''Staffelführer'' traces its origins to the First World War, where the tit ...'')

Duty stations

Notable personnel

References

Commanding officers (''
Staffelführer ''Staffelführer'' was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) in the early years of that group's existence. The later SS rank of ''Staffelführer'' traces its origins to the First World War, where the tit ...
'')